Automatic spout control for agricultural machines
US4376609A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 1980 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D43/073
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The crop discharge spout of an agricultural machine is continuously adjusted so that the crop material discharge therefrom is always directed into an associated, but not necessarily connected, collector vehicle. An electro optical device affixed to the crop discharge spout illuminates a scanning area with an optical signal. A passive retroreflective target affixed to the collector vehicle and disposed within the scanning area reflects the optical signal back to the electro optical device. The electro optical device receives the reflected optical signal and causes logic means to generate control signals, such that appropriate utilization means aligns the crop discharge spout with the associated but not necessarily attached collector vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.